Saturday, February 28, 1998

Amen to editorial

Amen, brother and sister! Your Feb. 26 editorial on the proposed "Religious Freedom Amendment" newspaper is timely and right on the cutting edge regarding very bad legislation that is being pushed by the so-called Christian Coalition.

For 207 years the First Amendment to the Constitution has provided all citizens freedom of religion and assured the separation of church and state. People can and do pray privately and voluntarily today in our schools. We do not have to have coercive public school prayers that are part of the hidden agenda of the religious right groups.

Politicians should not try to fix what isn't broken! Our present freedom amendments in the Bill of Rights are not broken and have protected us all, whether we religious or not.

The chair of the House Judiciary Committee is Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., a supporter of the religious right. Write your congressman now, Rep. Charlie Stenholm of Abilene. And pray!

May God bless and help us all.

CURTIS SMITH

Abilene

Public School Week

The week of March 2-6 has been declared Public School Week by Gov. Bush, urging all citizens to visit their schools.

The Masons of Texas founded the public school system in Texas. They built the first schools and paid the first teachers. They set up the principles upon which the regulations formulating the school system were and are based. Their far-sightedness has provided our state with leaders in every field of endeavor.

It is very important in today's environment to make sure the general populace understands that Free Masons support our public school system. We believe every child has the right to the best education he or she can attain.

The Masons of Abilene and the Big Country want the public to know we support and want everyone to support our schools. Become involved; visit a school near you.

HUBERT SMITH

Abilene

Others at TMEA

Yes, the Cooper Fiddlers represented Abilene well at the recent Texas Music Educators Convention. But also performing before large crowds were the Abilene Christian University Symphonic Band and the Hardin-Simmons University Symphonic Band.

Leading interest sessions were Dr. Dan McAlexander and Celeste Myall of Hardin-Simmons University. Terry Godfrey, choral director at Abilene High, was the alto section leader for the 270-voice all-state choir.

Last but certainly not least, Barbara Perkins, Cooper High School choir director, was installed as president of the Texas Music Educators organization. TMEA is the largest state music association in the United States.

We are proud of our music educators from Abilene.

BETTY NELSON

Abilene

More than one job

I am writing in support of district attorney candidate Sandy Self. She is uniquely qualified for office. She is the only Taylor County prosecutor who is board certified in criminal law.

That Sandy is soon to be president-elect of Junior League of Abilene shows her commitment to the community. Those who know Sandy know her to be a very disciplined and organized individual who is capable of performing more than one job at a time quite well. I don't believe this issue would have been raised if she were a male.

Sandy has a great deal of support from her husband and family. She can be trusted not to allow her family life to suffer when she is elected Taylor County's next district attorney.

JENNIFER GROTHAUS

Abilene